PTC Veterans Center helps student veterans transition to college

With more than 50 veterans on campus, the Veterans Center at Pine Technical College is committed to providing student veterans a successful and fulfilling educational experience. The center offers a wide array of services such as social events, GI Bill information, peer support, counseling and more.

"A big issue facing veterans is social isolation – many have difficulty adjusting to civilian life, and even more have difficulty adjusting to college life," says Doug Davis, PTC Veterans Liaison. "The center is open to all our brave men and women from any service branch who may have served in war or peace. We want to help them make the transition," Davis adds.

Davis, a Vietnam War Veteran, served in the Marine Corps from 1964 to ’68 and began his career in academia with PTC in ’91. Davis manages the center with assistance from a representative with Minnesota Veterans Affairs, Ray Bohn. Bohn is available at the center once a week to help student veterans with education benefits and financial resources.

"Our main focus is to serve as a resource center for student veterans. We’re a casual, drop-in center, and students may walk in or make an appointment if they wish," Davis says. "And, although many of our student veterans have recently returned from Iraq or Afghanistan, we welcome all veterans from any era as well as their spouses and dependents. We are a resource and support center," Davis adds.

The PTC Veterans Center is open 12 hours a week, typically Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call PTC's main number, 320-629-5100 or the Veterans Center directly, 320-629-5181.


Photo: Doug Davis welcomes visitors to the PTC Veterans Center.